Vacuum thermal insulating panel



May 12, 1953 J. F. P. TATE VACUUM THERMAL INSULATING PANEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1948 INVENTOR.

JkrafR Efe ATToR/VE Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE John F. P. Tate,`New York, N. Y.

Application October 19, 1948,.Serial No. 55,349 l In Canada May 14, 1948 AThisl invention relates to new and useful improvements in vacuum thermal insulating panels. This application is, a substitute for my abandoned applicationSerial No. 499,758, filed August 24, 1943.

More particularly, the invention proposes to characterize the new panel by a pair of end bridge plates rigidly held in' spaced position with one or more struts and associated with side plates or bridge plates mounted between the edge portions of said first named bridge plates. It is proposed to provide a cover sheet of flexible material mounted across the top and bottom edges of said bridge plates and' said side or bridge plates, and sealedv thereon forming a hermeticall'y sealed hollow panel. It is proposed that the air from'within said panel be exhausted to a partial vacuum. It is further proposed that the top and bottom w-alls of said cover sheets be concaved to a position and condition simulating the naturalforming of said flexible cover sheet due to the difference between atmosphere pressures andthe internal pressure of the panel. i

The new panel may be made of sheet steel or other suitable sheet metals or materials and may be used in single, or multiple units to form thermalfinsulating walls for buildings, heating or steam generating equipment, oven or cold storage compartments, or for any other 'application of spatial enclosure insulation. It is proposed that said partial vacuum be permanently maintained within the panel and that it be for the purpose of retarding the transmissionofrheat by conduction or convection from one side of the panel to the other. It is also proposed that the surface; of the outer cover be burnished to resist heat transmission through the panel by` panel will be subjected to an internal and exl ternal pressuredi-fferential, the external pressure being that of the atmosphere or other surrounding medium, the internal pressure being that of the rarifled -air or gas remaining after the panel interior has been evacuated to a practicaljlimit H Itis `proposed that the structural resistance of the panel to distortion from the unequal pressures mentioned above will be cared for by the tensile resistance of the outer cover reacting against the internal struts and side or bridge plates. Under the greater external pressure the outer cover will assume an approximately parabolic profile.

It is proposed that the new panel unit for and during its manufacture be provided with an 2 Claims. (Cl. 18S- 34) exhaust opening and stop valve through which the interior may be evacuated by means of a vacuum pump. It is proposed that after the interior has been so evacuated, that the opening will be suitably and permanently sealed to prevent lsubsequent leak-age.

For further comprehension ofthe invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, refer'- ence will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel -features of the invention are more particularly set forth.`

In the accompanying drawings forming a ma; terial part of this disclosure: I

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a vacuum thermal insulating panel constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the Vline 2'2 of Fig.` 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.` 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational View of a vacuum thermal insulating panel constructed according to a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view'taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the bridgev plates, struts, and side plates used in the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 4 to 6. V

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a vacuum thermal insulating panel constructed in accordance with -another form of this invention.-

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational View looking in the direction of the line 9-9 of Fig.8.`

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the Vbridge" plates, struts, and side plates used inthe form ofthe inventionshownin Figs. 8 and 9.

The vacuum thermal insulating panel, inl vaccordance with the form of the'invention dis* closed in Figs. 1 to 3, includes pairs of end bridge plates l0 and side bridge plates Illa formed with bevelled ends and welded together to form a rectangular frame and additionally rigidly held in relatively spaced positions with rigid struts il. The bridge plates IIJ and lila are shown asv of V-shape in transverse cross section but turned around so that their apexes are towards each other. The struts Il are xedly mounted between the apexes of the said V-shapes.

Side plates l2 are mounted against the side bridge plates l0. These side plates I2 are illustrated as of rectangular shape. A cover sheet I4 of exible material, preferably sheet metal,

is mounted across the top and bottom edges of the bridge plates I and Illa and the side plates I2 and is sealed thereon preferably by welding these parts together. This sealing forms a hermetically sealed hollow panel, and it is proposed that the air of this panel be partially exhausted to form a partial vacuum.

It is an important feature of this invention that the top and bottom walls l and I6 of said cover sheet I be concaved to a position and condition simulating the natural forming of said iiexible sheet Ill due to the difference between atmospheric pressure and the internal pressure of said panel. The cover sheet It is, shown to have end portions I 1Ia and Illb located at one or both ends of the panel and secured together withA a continuous butt-weld I l.

In Fig. 2 added weld material I8 is shownhse'- curing the edge portions of the side plates I2 to the edge portions of the cover sheet Iii. It should be noted that the edge portions oi the cover sheet il@ project a small amount past the buter face ofthe side plates i2. y s visv proposed that the interior of the panel be suitably exhausted andsealed. O'ne end ef the panelis initially formed with an aperture I9. V A tube 2i)k is mounted upon the inner'faces oi lthe cover sheet I4 around said aperture I9; Ihis tube 2i) vis provided with a ne-way `valve 2 Il. The side arms vof the bridge plates I0 and I'IIa are formed withivent openings 22 through which fthe air ywithin the panel may circulate. After the air has been partially withdrawn it is proposed that a plug 23 be engaged in the opening 'I9 and sealed therein, preferably with welding.

In Figs. 4 to 7 a modified formo'f the invention is shown which distinguishes from the prior yform in several respects. In this form of the inventionithe end bridge plates MIt extend the complete height of the panel. lTherside plates ,742 are set in slightly from the ends of the bridge plates H J"l and areiix'edly connected with the bridge plates by welding material I8. yThe side plates I2 have concaved edges to conform with the substantially parabolic pronle of the cover sheet I4. In view of the fact that the side plates I2' do not extend across the openings between the arms oit-he bridge plates I0@ the tube 2li and the valve 2| is mounted upon one `:of the arms of one of the bridge plates Ir. other respects this form of the invention is similar to that previously'wshown and like reference numerals identify like parts in eachI ofV the several views.

In Figs. 8 to lkanother form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes `from the prier forms essentially in design. Y In this form of the invention the bridge plates I0 are shown of greater length than the side plates I2. The bridge plates lfare shown connected together with a plurality of struts I I. A cover sheet -Illf is mounted on the bridge and side plates.

In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous yforms and like parts aremindicated by like reference numerals. 5 V

Whilel I have illustrated and describedy the preferred embodiments of my -inventionhit is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise -construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming Within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: 5

l. A heat insulating panel' comprising a pair 'of spaced apart V-shaped bridge plates positioned with their apexes facing one another, struts extended between the apexes of said bridges plates, plates extended, between the ends of said bridge plates land secured thereto, and elongated cover plates 'of a -width corresponding to the spacing of ysaid second plates and secured to the longitudinal edges or said bridge plates and said sec- "oiidplates, said cover plates being of a length greater than the spacing of said bridge plates to have extensions at either end equal in width to one-nali the Ydistance between the longitudinal edges ofthe legs of said bridge plates, Said extensions being bentat right angles to said ovi plates'to extend about the longitiuiinal edges v of said bridge plates with adjacent extensions Number abutting oneianother and secured together in edge contact. Y I l y v2. A heat insulating panel comprising a pair of spaced apart V-shaped bridge plates positioned with their apexes facing one another, side plates extended between the end oi said.` bridge plates and secured to the ends of Ysaidbridge plates with the corners vof said s idep plates ari ranged Yflush wi'th the corners of said bridge' plates, and Aelongated cover plates or" 4ai-tvidth corresponde ing to the spacing of said side plates secured to the longitudinal edges of said bridge yplates and said side plates, said cover plates being of a length greater than the spacing of said ybridge plates to have extensions at either end equal in width to one-half the distance between the long-ie tudinal edges of the legs of said bridge plates, said extensions being bentat right angles to `vsaid cover plates to extend about the longitudinal edges of said bridge plates with adjacent extenn sions abutting one another and secured together and secured at their ends to the adjacent ends of said lside plates, and elongated struts extend" ed pai'allelly between the apexes of saidbridge plates. Y

JOHN F'. P. TAT.

, 'References Cited in the vfile Iof this patent UNrrEp "sTA'r's 

